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21 Gaslamp Restaurants and Bars That Are Actually Worth Trying

The heart of San Diego houses a number of places to eat and drink — here are a few standouts with notable new ones.

by Helen I. Hwang Updated Apr 4, 2024, 9:07am PDT

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by Helen I. Hwang Updated Apr 4, 2024, 9:07am PDT

Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images

San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is a lively neighborhood, packed with restaurants and bars, making it the place to check out if you’re looking to have a night out on the town. With flashy restaurants, hopping nightclubs, and spirited sports bars, it tends to cater to out-of-town visitors but the densely-packed area also holds dining options across all types of cuisines that appeal to locals too. Here’s a list of restaurants and bars worth dining and drinking at in the Gaslamp.

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The Desmond

Chef Jason Neroni, formerly of the Rose Venice, focuses on California Italian cuisine at the Kimpton Alma’s anchor restaurant in San Diego. Start off with the bread service before launching into choices like the housemade pasta or Creekstone New York strip with chipotle hollandaise.

1047 Fifth Avenue, CA 92101

Visit Website

An aerial photo of plated food. — Plated dishes at The Desmond

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The Grant Grill

The signature restaurant of the historic U.S. Grant Hotel is always a good bet; try the Grant Grill beef burger or seared scallops. Desserts, like lemon-lime crème brulee, are also a must, along with cocktails like the Fannie Chaffee Grant, a tequila drink with dry vermouth and pamplemousse.

326 Broadway, San Diego, California 92101

Visit Website

Saint James French Diner

Tucked in the historic Palihotel, the adorable “American diner meets French bistro” features standouts like croquettes, steak frites, and bouillabaisse boil. Weekend brunches include croque madame accompanied by bottomless mimosas.

830 Sixth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

French bistro and American diner dishes.

Also featured in:

12 San Diego Happy Hours to Try Right Now

STK San Diego

A steakhouse known across the world, STK’s locations include New York, Delhi, Dubai, Prague, and Mexico City. Its extensive steak and seafood menu includes wagyu and steaks sized small, medium, and large. Steak night specials include a meal for two and a bottle of bubbly or cabernet for $69 per person.

600 F Street, San Diego, California 92101

Visit Website

STK — Slices of steak.

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Tacos El Gordo

The legendary taqueria got its start in Tijuana in 1972 and has been dishing out tasty carne asada, adobada, suadero, and tripa ever since. Thankfully, there’s now a location in the busy Gaslamp Quarter to satisfy taco cravings in the midst of bar-hopping.

511 F St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

An array of tacos and drinks at Tacos El Gordo — An array of tacos and drinks at Tacos El Gordo.

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Smokin J's BBQ

This is the third and biggest location yet for the local barbecue outpost whose meats are smoked overnight in Poway and delivered daily to the downtown restaurant. Its menu features everything from brisket and pulled pork to sticky ribs and jackfruit available in individual or family-sized portions with tempting sides like collard greens.

751 4th Avenue, San Diego, California 92101

Visit Website

A dining room in a restaurant. — The dining room.

Also featured in:

Where to Eat Barbecue in San Diego Right Now

Karina's Cantina Gaslamp

Karina’s in Gaslamp showcases a robust cocktail menu to pair with its iconic ceviche, seafood plates, and traditional Mexican dishes like carne asada. The location has ample space for large parties with happy hour specials that run every afternoon and all day on Mondays.

755 Fifth Avenue, CA 92101

Visit Website

Michelada, shrimp and Mexican ceviche.

Also featured in:

Where to Eat Seafood in San Diego

Le Parfait Paris

This locally-owned patisserie and cafe focuses on French bistro fare like jambon fromage sandwiches, quiche Lorraine, and sweet or savory crepes. Don’t miss out on the desserts, including rainbow-hued French macarons and luscious parfaits.

555 G St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

French eats, a macaroon and wine

Also featured in:

Werewolf

A downtown hangout spot popular for its champagne and mimosa specials, you’ll also find brunch dishes like Homer Cakes (fluffy cakes with raspberry jelly filling and glazed donut icing). Werewolf also has a special nightly evening menu with Werewolf nugs, burritos, and burgers, all available after 3 p.m. along with karaoke.

627 4th Ave (at Market St), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Bang Bang

Sushi boats, specialty rolls, and sake bomb headline the menu at the Asian fusion restaurant with a happy hour Wednesday through Sunday and VIP bottle service. The location turns into a lively venue where producers and underground artists perform after hours. Designed by the creative team, Gillian and Mauricio Couturier (Wolfie’s Carousel Bar and redesigned Mr. A’s), the Gaslamp restaurant turns into a nightclub with an enormous disco ball.

526 Market St (at 6th Av), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Barleymash

The popular cocktail and sports bar sets itself apart with its beer-and-bourbon-based dishes from executive chef Kevin Templeton, who’s been featured on a range of cooking shows. Try mango-mojito chile chicken wings, Champ burger with beef and ale-braised pork shoulder, and spiced shrimp flatbread with the sweet chinchilla cocktail. The place keeps it lively with DJs, live music, and comedy in the main restaurant and underground bar, ginger’s.

600 5th Ave (at Market St), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Bloody mary bar. — Bloody Mary bar.

Taka Restaurant

The Japanese restaurant in the heart of Gaslamp showcases sashimi flown in from Japan, along with an extensive drinks menu that ranges from sake, shochu, and cocktails. The team also offers an omakase menu or you can order teriyaki and sushi pieces on its own.

Open in Google Maps

555 Fifth Avenue, CA 92101

Visit Website

Sushi chefs behind the bar at Taka Restaurant — Sushi chefs behind the bar at Taka Restaurant.

Also featured in:

The 10 Best Sushi Takeout and Delivery Options in San Diego

Rustic Root

Find comfort food like rustic fried chicken, St. Louis barbecue ribs, and something sweet from the signature dessert cart in the rooftop dining space with views overlooking the Gaslamp Quarter. Their weekend brunch features a Bubbles and Berries menu with a bottle of champagne, berries, fruit purees and fruit juices.

535 5th Ave (Market), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Brunch with mimosas.

Also featured in:

Tacos el Cabron

A taqueria serving authentic Tijuana-inspired tacos, this place is open from 8 a.m. every day and shuts at 1 a.m. on the weekdays and 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Try their pollo burrito or carne asada fries, paired with their margarita flight.

532 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Selection of tacos

Also featured in:

Where to Get Lunch Downtown

Borrego Kitchen

The newest addition to the Gaslamp scene is the ninth-floor restaurant and bar atop Hotel Indigo. With views of Petco Park and the city skyline, the establishment features cocktails like Expresso de Olla (coffee, vodka, spiced chocolate) and Baja Bloom (gin, chili-infused mezcal, roasted pineapple).

Open in Google Maps

509 9th Avenue, San Diego, California 92101

Visit Website

Baja Bloom cocktail with gin, chili-infused mezcal, roasted pineapple, with pineapple slices — Baja Bloom cocktail with gin, chili-infused mezcal, and roasted pineapple.

Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine

One of the anchor restaurants drawing diners into the Pendry Hotel, this elegant, two-level seafood restaurant centers on fresh catch and sustainable fish under the direction of executive chef and James Beard Smart Catch leader, JoJo Ruiz. Try the Prime KC Cut Striploin “Oscar” and the Bonecrusha (tuna toro and caviar in bone marrow butter).

435 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A photo of a dish from Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine. — Seafood dish.

Also featured in:

Provisional Kitchen

Provisional Kitchen has a more casual approach, set in an airy dining area with high ceilings and plush velvet couch for communal seating. Dining options are available all day with specialties like s’mores French toast, pizzettas made with six-year starter dough, or a five-course chef’s tasting menu, available for brunch or dinner. Weekend brunch features an Ostrich Egg Platter, equal to 16 chicken eggs.

450 5th Ave (at J St), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Margherita pizza.

Also featured in:

Huntress

This soaring and stylish space pairs up a prime steakhouse serving cuts like dry-aged porterhouse, tomahawk steaks, and ribeyes, as well as top-notch seafood with a bar featuring whiskey flights from around the world. End with the “Magic Mushroom” dessert, a showstopper that serves two.

376 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Steak.

Also featured in:

Lumi by Akira Back

This rooftop restaurant from world-renowned celebrity chef Akira Back brings Japanese and Peruvian-influenced Nikkei cuisine to San Diego. Set in an eye-catching atmosphere with views of downtown and outdoor fire pits, the menu features a daily seven-course omakase menu with daily-caught sashimi, a female-brewed sake tasting menu, and cocktails from a Toki Japanese highball machine.

366 5th Ave (J St), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Sushi, nigiri, sashimi and other Japanese food options.

Also featured in:

Meze Greek Fusion

Meze stands out among the Greek restaurants in the city that are worth mentioning. With vast spaces for large events, it’s a great option for traditional Greek foods done with a California twist. Don’t miss the shrimp and ouzo saganaki (jumbo shrimp flambeed in ouzo tableside), souvlaki, and baklava cheesecake.

345 6th Ave (J st), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Greek food. — An array of Greek dishes.

Also featured in:

Nobu San Diego

The long-running San Diego outpost of the iconic Nobu restaurant was launched by one of the original New York City sushi chefs. Try the signature dishes like the yellowtail jalapeno or black miso cod. The Tanoshi hour runs every day from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with deals on cocktails and bar bites.

207 5th Ave (at Hard Rock Hotel), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Nobu at the Hard Rock Hotel — Nobu at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Also featured in:

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The Desmond

1047 Fifth Avenue, CA 92101

Chef Jason Neroni, formerly of the Rose Venice, focuses on California Italian cuisine at the Kimpton Alma’s anchor restaurant in San Diego. Start off with the bread service before launching into choices like the housemade pasta or Creekstone New York strip with chipotle hollandaise.

1047 Fifth Avenue, CA 92101

Visit Website

An aerial photo of plated food. — Plated dishes at The Desmond

The Grant Grill

326 Broadway, San Diego, California 92101

The signature restaurant of the historic U.S. Grant Hotel is always a good bet; try the Grant Grill beef burger or seared scallops. Desserts, like lemon-lime crème brulee, are also a must, along with cocktails like the Fannie Chaffee Grant, a tequila drink with dry vermouth and pamplemousse.

326 Broadway, San Diego, California 92101

Visit Website

Saint James French Diner

830 Sixth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101

Tucked in the historic Palihotel, the adorable “American diner meets French bistro” features standouts like croquettes, steak frites, and bouillabaisse boil. Weekend brunches include croque madame accompanied by bottomless mimosas.

830 Sixth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

French bistro and American diner dishes.

STK San Diego

600 F Street, San Diego, California 92101

A steakhouse known across the world, STK’s locations include New York, Delhi, Dubai, Prague, and Mexico City. Its extensive steak and seafood menu includes wagyu and steaks sized small, medium, and large. Steak night specials include a meal for two and a bottle of bubbly or cabernet for $69 per person.

600 F Street, San Diego, California 92101

Visit Website

STK — Slices of steak.

Tacos El Gordo

511 F St, San Diego, CA 92101

The legendary taqueria got its start in Tijuana in 1972 and has been dishing out tasty carne asada, adobada, suadero, and tripa ever since. Thankfully, there’s now a location in the busy Gaslamp Quarter to satisfy taco cravings in the midst of bar-hopping.

511 F St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

An array of tacos and drinks at Tacos El Gordo — An array of tacos and drinks at Tacos El Gordo.

Smokin J's BBQ

751 4th Avenue, San Diego, California 92101

This is the third and biggest location yet for the local barbecue outpost whose meats are smoked overnight in Poway and delivered daily to the downtown restaurant. Its menu features everything from brisket and pulled pork to sticky ribs and jackfruit available in individual or family-sized portions with tempting sides like collard greens.

751 4th Avenue, San Diego, California 92101

Visit Website

A dining room in a restaurant. — The dining room.

Karina's Cantina Gaslamp

755 Fifth Avenue, CA 92101

Karina’s in Gaslamp showcases a robust cocktail menu to pair with its iconic ceviche, seafood plates, and traditional Mexican dishes like carne asada. The location has ample space for large parties with happy hour specials that run every afternoon and all day on Mondays.

755 Fifth Avenue, CA 92101

Visit Website

Michelada, shrimp and Mexican ceviche.

Le Parfait Paris

555 G St, San Diego, CA 92101

This locally-owned patisserie and cafe focuses on French bistro fare like jambon fromage sandwiches, quiche Lorraine, and sweet or savory crepes. Don’t miss out on the desserts, including rainbow-hued French macarons and luscious parfaits.

555 G St, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

French eats, a macaroon and wine

Werewolf

627 4th Ave (at Market St), San Diego, CA 92101

A downtown hangout spot popular for its champagne and mimosa specials, you’ll also find brunch dishes like Homer Cakes (fluffy cakes with raspberry jelly filling and glazed donut icing). Werewolf also has a special nightly evening menu with Werewolf nugs, burritos, and burgers, all available after 3 p.m. along with karaoke.

627 4th Ave (at Market St), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Bang Bang

526 Market St (at 6th Av), San Diego, CA 92101

Sushi boats, specialty rolls, and sake bomb headline the menu at the Asian fusion restaurant with a happy hour Wednesday through Sunday and VIP bottle service. The location turns into a lively venue where producers and underground artists perform after hours. Designed by the creative team, Gillian and Mauricio Couturier (Wolfie’s Carousel Bar and redesigned Mr. A’s), the Gaslamp restaurant turns into a nightclub with an enormous disco ball.

526 Market St (at 6th Av), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Barleymash

600 5th Ave (at Market St), San Diego, CA 92101

The popular cocktail and sports bar sets itself apart with its beer-and-bourbon-based dishes from executive chef Kevin Templeton, who’s been featured on a range of cooking shows. Try mango-mojito chile chicken wings, Champ burger with beef and ale-braised pork shoulder, and spiced shrimp flatbread with the sweet chinchilla cocktail. The place keeps it lively with DJs, live music, and comedy in the main restaurant and underground bar, ginger’s.

600 5th Ave (at Market St), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Bloody mary bar. — Bloody Mary bar.

Taka Restaurant

555 Fifth Avenue, CA 92101

The Japanese restaurant in the heart of Gaslamp showcases sashimi flown in from Japan, along with an extensive drinks menu that ranges from sake, shochu, and cocktails. The team also offers an omakase menu or you can order teriyaki and sushi pieces on its own.

Open in Google Maps

555 Fifth Avenue, CA 92101

Visit Website

Sushi chefs behind the bar at Taka Restaurant — Sushi chefs behind the bar at Taka Restaurant.

Rustic Root

535 5th Ave (Market), San Diego, CA 92101

Find comfort food like rustic fried chicken, St. Louis barbecue ribs, and something sweet from the signature dessert cart in the rooftop dining space with views overlooking the Gaslamp Quarter. Their weekend brunch features a Bubbles and Berries menu with a bottle of champagne, berries, fruit purees and fruit juices.

535 5th Ave (Market), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Brunch with mimosas.

Tacos el Cabron

532 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

A taqueria serving authentic Tijuana-inspired tacos, this place is open from 8 a.m. every day and shuts at 1 a.m. on the weekdays and 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Try their pollo burrito or carne asada fries, paired with their margarita flight.

532 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Selection of tacos

Borrego Kitchen

509 9th Avenue, San Diego, California 92101

The newest addition to the Gaslamp scene is the ninth-floor restaurant and bar atop Hotel Indigo. With views of Petco Park and the city skyline, the establishment features cocktails like Expresso de Olla (coffee, vodka, spiced chocolate) and Baja Bloom (gin, chili-infused mezcal, roasted pineapple).

Open in Google Maps

509 9th Avenue, San Diego, California 92101

Visit Website

Baja Bloom cocktail with gin, chili-infused mezcal, roasted pineapple, with pineapple slices — Baja Bloom cocktail with gin, chili-infused mezcal, and roasted pineapple.

Related Maps

Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine

435 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

One of the anchor restaurants drawing diners into the Pendry Hotel, this elegant, two-level seafood restaurant centers on fresh catch and sustainable fish under the direction of executive chef and James Beard Smart Catch leader, JoJo Ruiz. Try the Prime KC Cut Striploin “Oscar” and the Bonecrusha (tuna toro and caviar in bone marrow butter).

435 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

A photo of a dish from Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine. — Seafood dish.

Provisional Kitchen

450 5th Ave (at J St), San Diego, CA 92101

Provisional Kitchen has a more casual approach, set in an airy dining area with high ceilings and plush velvet couch for communal seating. Dining options are available all day with specialties like s’mores French toast, pizzettas made with six-year starter dough, or a five-course chef’s tasting menu, available for brunch or dinner. Weekend brunch features an Ostrich Egg Platter, equal to 16 chicken eggs.

450 5th Ave (at J St), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Margherita pizza.

Huntress

376 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

This soaring and stylish space pairs up a prime steakhouse serving cuts like dry-aged porterhouse, tomahawk steaks, and ribeyes, as well as top-notch seafood with a bar featuring whiskey flights from around the world. End with the “Magic Mushroom” dessert, a showstopper that serves two.

376 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Steak.

Lumi by Akira Back

366 5th Ave (J St), San Diego, CA 92101

This rooftop restaurant from world-renowned celebrity chef Akira Back brings Japanese and Peruvian-influenced Nikkei cuisine to San Diego. Set in an eye-catching atmosphere with views of downtown and outdoor fire pits, the menu features a daily seven-course omakase menu with daily-caught sashimi, a female-brewed sake tasting menu, and cocktails from a Toki Japanese highball machine.

366 5th Ave (J St), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Sushi, nigiri, sashimi and other Japanese food options.

Meze Greek Fusion

345 6th Ave (J st), San Diego, CA 92101

Meze stands out among the Greek restaurants in the city that are worth mentioning. With vast spaces for large events, it’s a great option for traditional Greek foods done with a California twist. Don’t miss the shrimp and ouzo saganaki (jumbo shrimp flambeed in ouzo tableside), souvlaki, and baklava cheesecake.

345 6th Ave (J st), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Greek food. — An array of Greek dishes.

Nobu San Diego

207 5th Ave (at Hard Rock Hotel), San Diego, CA 92101

The long-running San Diego outpost of the iconic Nobu restaurant was launched by one of the original New York City sushi chefs. Try the signature dishes like the yellowtail jalapeno or black miso cod. The Tanoshi hour runs every day from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with deals on cocktails and bar bites.

207 5th Ave (at Hard Rock Hotel), San Diego, CA 92101

Visit Website

Nobu at the Hard Rock Hotel — Nobu at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Related Maps